FLATHEAD CATFISH - How to recognize the right bank and Where to put your baits.

[@fridge.4834]

What an awesome breakdown! This is the exact type of in detail explanation I was looking for. I appreciate the effort you put in with the photos & drawing.

[@daveallover]

You're welcome man!

[@spuds8896]

Great video. I’m amazed at how shallow and close to the bank you’re placing your baits. It amazes me that these big fish are so shallow and so close to the bank consequently I have a hard time putting a bait there and having confidence in it. Took 10 days vacation starting tomorrow. I’m planning to spend every night soaking bluegills. Thanks for the great content it’s seriously appreciated!

[@daveallover]

If you knew how many live baits were reeled in to 1ft of water and left thinking they would be safe while the person slept and weren't there when they woke up. If there's a live bait there and he's aware of it, its getting eaten.

[@virgiltoepfer7087]

Great protocol for placing your baits. So often guys think deeper is better and faster current is key. You break out the little scenarios that are common denominations to consider. Enjoyed your video.

[@daveallover]

Well stay tuned because I'm working on a new one that is even more in depth about current and different substrates.

[@lordllewellynofdarkdelight2613]

This has so much good information. Thank you. I found a spot just like the example used in this video and it produced fish like crazy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@daveallover]

You're welcome! Thank you!

[@hoosierbackoutdoors1237]

Very informative video. Been having my friend teach me some of these tactics for the East Fork of the White river. CANNOT wait to get on my first big flathead!

[@daveallover]

Well it's the worst month for it right now. July. I take this time to scout. Glad you liked it.

[@hoosierbackoutdoors1237]

@@daveallover yeah we have been targeting channels right now and doing pretty good. The freezer is full. 👍🏼

[@daveallover]

@@hoosierbackoutdoors1237 that's awesome man! I love how hard a channel bites. So now you want a flathead? What river if you dont mind me asking?

[@hoosierbackoutdoors1237]

@@daveallover East Fork White River in Lawrence County.

[@daveallover]

@@hoosierbackoutdoors1237 holy shit! We should go together!

[@jasonmoore3845]

This was actually one of the most informative video I've seen yet!!! Almost all info videos show the guys catch fish but that's all, thank you very much, I'm heading to the river in about an hour, maybe now I'll actually get a flathead!! Definitely a thumbs up here!!!

[@daveallover]

That's why I made it. Most "how to's" on flatheads I would classify as "shooting an arrow and painting a bullseye around it." Or "watch me's". I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@gordonphillips3364]

Great video your production quality is A+

[@daveallover]

Thank you sir!

[@robertwixom9318]

One if not the best explanation of reading the fish n / (rivers). From a little town in southeast Iowa. I'm surrounded by rivers. The des Moines river the skunk River. And Mississippi River. All with in a half hour drive. I'm going to use this video it just may up the fish on the bank. Very well done...

[@daveallover]

You're welcome man! Spencer has some good stuff too!

[@KayaksAreSpeedbumps]

Excellent info for Newbies! This means you Pam, Mike, and Ryan 🤣🤣🤣

[@feelincatty]

I'll accept this comment 😅

[@KayaksAreSpeedbumps]

@@feelincatty 😂

[@daveallover]

Or anybody looking for a new way to catch em. This is just my favorite way.

[@ethansrg5772]

Great video, im trying to learn to fish rivers instead of only lakes and this helped a ton

[@daveallover]

Check out my latest one. It's kind of a follow up to this one. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@stevenstroud19]

Thank you DAVE I enjoy it and hope the best for you. Cap'n Hoyt out.

[@michaeltoby8474]

I have a spot ( sorry no pictures yet) but it's a peace of water on a river. It has a sand bar on one side of the river and on the other side it has a boat dock that drops off into 7 ft. On low water. The bank is rocky with some sandy and small pebbles rock .about 100 feet down river is a railroad tussle with a log jam up against one of the pillows about 10 ft off the bank. Boy it is a honey hole. I've caught as many as 10 flathead catfish in one night. I throw everyone back just to keep the spot active with fish. I'm new subscriber and found your video very helpful. Thanks 😊

[@daveallover]

Man that sounds like a dandy for sure. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it! Thank you very much.

[@busterdog64]

i popped a half chub reading this

[@NatetheHoofGuy]

Good video. Next season my goal is to spend a lot of time on flatheads.

[@daveallover]

I hope you have an adventure and catch a giant.

[@lanepruitt2629]

Me and a friend have been trying to catch flatheads for the last month now and we have hooked into some good fishing. Watching your video tells me we choose some really decent spots and now that I go to my google maps I can find all types of great spots

[@daveallover]

I'm glad it helped you! Stay tuned cuz I got another one that breaks it down even farther.

[@theodorecorwin9630]

Good video love the leading edge of a hole for active fish

[@daveallover]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I plan on doing a fall or post spawn version.

[@Gutslinger]

2:03 There's a spot kinda like that at a local river that my dad fished since before I was born. It slowly swirls and flows back upstream in a pretty decent sized area on one side of the river. My dad and uncle always called that place the Round Hole. Mostly caught channels. But I did catch a small flathead there once.

[@wensmith6752]

Thank you for sharing and in depth, great information!!

[@daveallover]

You're welcome wen!

[@ricrinehart975]

Great video I fish the White River around Bloomfield Indiana and this should be helpful as these characteristics are present

[@daveallover]

You're gna get on em. Good luck to ya bud.

[@davew6969]

Thank you for the detailed explanation!!

[@daveallover]

You're welcome!

[@OldSchoolCatfishingWithCatmatt]

Great job. Awesome video. Very informative.

[@daveallover]

Thank you sir

[@OldSchoolCatfishingWithCatmatt]

Check my page out to if you get a chance.

[@DannyStoneOutdoors]

Great channel. I found you while watching Catfish & Crappie channel

[@daveallover]

Thank you man!

[@dannielaw4747]

Great video! I’m a visual learner and this is helpful. I’ve been fishing a spot that’s almost exactly what you described just all around smaller. no flatheads yet but some decent channel cats I’m convinced there’s a flathead in there just gonna wait for spawn to wrap up and then hit it at night 👍

[@daveallover]

I'm sure they're there. Keep at it. Especially if the timber is there. They're just busy right. 😘

[@dannielaw4747]

@@daveallover lots of timber old timber at that. Their just to busy romancing right now haha

[@shaunmeadows2998]

Great video!

[@daveallover]

Thank you!

[@RaisedOutdoors]

A lot of information. Should be some great help for a lot of viewers

[@joeaguilar196]

Thank you for your video and advice spot almost as wide as this place where you're fishing your friend and New subscriber from Austin Texas.

[@daveallover]

You're welcome bud!

[@jenbilbrey1089]

New subscriber. Love the content thank you so much.

[@daveallover]

You're welcome buddy! Got big plans

[@chasegreen6017]

You sound like LunkersTV. This video was in my watch later list and i was like I didn’t have a Lunkers video in there lol good information

[@daveallover]

Thanks man!

[@HooksandHammocks]

Good stuff!! Looking forward to seeing you on Catfish and Crappie! I am in Central Indiana, maybe someday we can get the chance to fish together!

[@daveallover]

100% man!

[@ClarenceKerr]

I really enjoyed your flathead fishing video do you have any Flathead fishing videos of the same nature for rock Dyke structure and bigger rivers

[@daveallover]

@ClarenceKerr not currently but I plan to. I've only been fishing big rivers for about 3 years. Small rivers all my life.

[@hfhjoat8232]

Very interesting

[@daveallover]

Thank you

[@nickJackley]

Great video it’s nice to see a video of a river similar to my home river finally I’m in south east Wisconsin and fish a very small river average is from inches to about 5 feet with holes varying from 9 to 21 feet and it’s home to some monster fatheads it’s nice to see videos of small rivers for sure dosent help my learn much watching videos of guys fishing the Mississippi. Also what it your take on fishing heavy structure against the bank when and how should I target it for the best effect

[@daveallover]

My take on it is do it. Typically the higher the water the closer to the bank. Pick a spot right where the current is hitting the structure. Nobody learns anything from those videos

[@adrianstrickland6648]

Thank you!!!

[@daveallover]

@@adrianstrickland6648 you're welcome!

[@UltraToxicMale]

New to your channel, great content and delivery.

[@daveallover]

Thanks man!

[@MrKatfishHimself]

Man I enjoyed this. I have to go and look at the river now to see if I kan see some stuff that stands out. Last time I went to the river, I did throw a bait near a fallen down tree but, nothing bit. It was something konstantly jumping over there though and it was big. I knew about the seams and slow to no moving water but, I'll definitely be taking these tips with me next time I go to the river. I also heard that you have a good opportunity to katch some behind rocks because the water is getting blocked by them. That's why I was surprised to the fact that you would put the baits in front of the timber but, I guess if they are in there, they will kome out to play.

[@daveallover]

They will be found in ANY structure, it just so happened to be timber on this bank so I used that. I hope you catch the fish of lifetime! I usually have to hit 10 jams or more before a potential flathead bite. Sometimes you get lucky.

[@daveallover]

They will be found in ANY structure, it just so happened to be timber on this bank so I used that. I hope you catch the fish of lifetime! I usually have to hit 10 jams or more before a potential flathead bite. Sometimes you get lucky.

[@MrKatfishHimself]

@@daveallover I just seen that flathead kome back and you got him the second time. Man them was some thick bream you got in that video also. Man I may try the river tomorrow. Either way, keep up the good work.

[@daveallover]

@@MrKatfishHimself yeah that was crazy. In real time it was 30 seconds later. He bit again. I will man! Working alot of hours lately but I got big plans.

[@DavidLipson-y7x]

nice video

[@daveallover]

@@DavidLipson-y7x thanks

[@TheSargeOnTheWater]

Watching bro.

[@daveallover]

Thank you sir!

[@daveallover]

Prior military?

[@Kcolelanders]

great video i just started fishing this rock quarry its about 30 feet deep at its deepest and ive only been able to catch 1 flathead i think im fishing to deep is there any tips you have for fishing this body of water to catching any catfish

[@daveallover]

I fish lots of quarries. Flathead fish at night. Dead of night. That's when they typically feed in quarries. I use a float normally. I live in the limestone capital of the world. Southern Indiana. Quarries everywhere.

[@Kcolelanders]

@@daveallover That’s great I’m kinda new to catfishing I bass fish mostly in the state of Kansas so I’m trying to learn thanks for the reply and I’ll be sure to subscribe for more information

[@daveallover]

@@Kcolelanders thank you for watching! Live bait just a few feet deep near the bank. Flatheads in quarries feed along the bank and on shallow flats. They can go real shallow. Like 1ft. No problem. They're a completely different fish once the sun goes down.

[@shanemorris7349]

Nice video. When u fish lakes. Do u fish deep. If theres thermocline how do u detect it an how do u fish a lake with thermocline

[@daveallover]

When I get home and showered I'll answer your question. Lakes with thermoclines are tricky but iced developed a pattern in a couple lakes like that. Talk soon

[@daveallover]

So in rivers often the piece that holds the foundation of your strategy is structure. In a lake the patterns I've noticed hold break lines as the cornerstone of your strategy. Structure comes second. Ideally I would look for structure on or near a drastic depth change, near "bait", just above the bottom of the thermocline. If the thermocline is 15ft deep. Look for banks in 10 to 15ft range. 12ft has been productive for me. At night I'd stay in 5ft or more. Flathead in lakes can be very fickle. They are often well fed and maintain low metabolic rates. You almost have to hit them in the head. That all being said dont ignore structure with little or no depth changes. They can be productive but often catch smaller fish on them. I hope that helps. Fish the pattern, not the spot.

[@shanemorris7349]

@@daveallover thanks.

[@phillipjohnson445]

Would these same principles apply to the rivers in Texas and other states?

[@daveallover]

I've never fished there. But a flathead is a flathead. Whether it's in Wisconsin or Arizona. They're merely a set of stimuli reacting to changing conditions. Flatheads in lakes tend to setup up differently on structure and more often the ecosystem and bait is different. Therefore the flathead behaves differently. What is your bait doing in your river?

[@MostDope357]

Do you think you could make a similar video but finding flatheads in a lake or maybe a creek coming from a lake

[@daveallover]

Yes. I'm currently testing it. I don't feel comfortable enough with the best method quite yet. I've really been hammering the lakes and speaking with tournament anglers and biologists. That video is coming.

[@jessesmith5086]

Our river is like 2 1/2 foot here in decatur, Indiana right now do to lack of rain, it's been rough finding flatheads for about 2 months now. Any tips on low rivers like that from the bank without knowing depths exactly. Man any help would be amazing, we've been crushing carp but catfishing has been rough

[@daveallover]

@jessesmith5086 fish will seek out deep holes and deep structure during summer months. The bite is greatly reduced during this time due to low metabolism with high temperatures. In a month or so, your luck will change.

[@hookedcatfish]

this is awsome

[@daveallover]

I'm going to be doing alot more tutorial stuff now that the spawn is on. Fishing slow up there?

[@CatfishandCrappie]

Great Video! I try to read the river and have done well fishing spots like you showed int he video. I am learning they like aggressive exits and seem to leave holes at the top. Subbed and maybe we can get you on my show/podcast.

[@daveallover]

Absolutely! Here's my email [e-mail] contact me anytime

[@naildrvr2047]

When a flathead leaves the timber to feed, do the always go upstream? What if the timber was upstream of the hole you were at?

[@daveallover]

No... there's absolutely no way to determine that. The only way to sway it one way or the other is to look for bait. Find the bait during the day, and most likely they will go there after dark. In this illustration, bait was upstream. So set up there.

[@daveallover]

The place where I caught that 45 was between a white bass school and a log Jam. No guarantees though, it's still a fish.

[@naildrvr2047]

@@daveallover I always thought they headed upstream because of sent. And have never really anyone say different. Thank you for the answer. These fish sure are elusive.

[@spuds8896]

I often fish a medium sized rocky river at night with a good flathead population. It’s also a good smallmouth water. I’m kinda thinking that I should expect flatheads in similar locations that I might find smallmouth bass in the day time??

[@daveallover]

Yes!

[@simplytheboss8922]

Cool ass video. That's all that you can do there! How about get better bait✌️🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@daveallover]

I made a video for that too...😉

[@sharpnr445]

Looks like the James river in VA.?

[@daveallover]

Never been there

[@jimshepard8822]

Fishing the Osage river, water was high and peaked out, trash was down the center. River had been up for some time. We positioned our boat above a creek mouth, tied to a tree that was hanging out toward the middle. 3 guys, I’m in the middle. The guy closest to the middle of the river ( on one end ) caught nothing but blue cat in the swifter, deeper water. The guy next to the bank, caught channel cat, 4 or 5 and one flathead, I In the middle seat. Caught mostly flathead. Nothing huge, a 36 lb Blue, a 16 lb flathead, and 10 and 12 lb channel, but we must have caught close to 100 fish. Location was the key, and before the river came up, we cleared brush and an area not to get hung up so much .

[@naildrvr2047]

Very good video. This is different from most others. Explanation on the spots is very helpful. What state are you in?

[@daveallover]

Indiana

[@naildrvr2047]

@@daveallover wow, quick reply thank you. I'm in Illinois. But have Indiana license too. My son lives there. We fish the Wabash mostly. I've been trying to get him on a big fish. Hoping to have my boat ready for the fall action

[@daveallover]

@@naildrvr2047 yep excellent flathead river.

[@therusticcollectionebaysto7028]

New sub ! Liked 🙏😊😃

[@daveallover]

Thank you so much!

[@codygatlin7724]

Wish i had a way to show what im working with. People from other states would consider it more of a creek than a river but its about 20+ ft wide and ranges from 12”-10’ in some places the spot i have in mind would be better shown than descrided

[@daveallover]

So I got an email that you can contact me directly with just for this sort of thing. [e-mail] I'd love to pick it apart with you.

[@mattmcpheeters2456]

Say I’m in this spot, I’m limited to 8pm, how less likely am I to hook up before dark?

[@daveallover]

In that case you're mostly confined to big structure. Logs and large rocks. Rocks the size of car hoods or bigger is ideal. However places like rock piles creating current seams and gouged out deep holes on the back side can be good daylight options. Play the times of year right and you can find feeding flatheads during the day. These are spring and fall temperatures of around 65F. For me that's late April and October.

[@DavidGuzman-co8we]

Does that work on canals as well

[@daveallover]

That will work anywhere a flathead lives. Lakes play a slightly different set of rules but as far as depth, structure, food go. It works in Wisconsin, and it works in Arizona. Do these canals have current?

[@DavidGuzman-co8we]

Very little but yes it does.

[@daveallover]

@@DavidGuzman-co8we they hunt along break lines alot in low or no current conditions. Structure near a break line is ideal for daytime flatheads. The area that bait can be found closest to that same area is an excellent night time location regardless of depth.

[@DavidGuzman-co8we]

Thanks brother

[@timkohl3088]

Thanks

[@daveallover]

You're welcome!

[@LUCKYB.]

Take pumpkin seed fish nice size for Flat Head. Take a thin blade knife and prick the bait use no weight cast to the inside of the Courant. Let the bait swim about as it wants .that has worked for Me .

[@daveallover]

If it wasn't so snaggy I would do that with every bait.

[@LUCKYB.]

@@daveallover Lot of stumps and Riprap . ?figure out how deep and use a Bobber to keep it off the snaggs if You can . Take a small burlap bag stuff it full of fish guts. And couple Rocks . Tie it to a Jug where it hangs above the Snaggs . And tie it off to Your Boat but it falls behind the Boat . Or how ever You want it .

[@jonathanwombles5004]

What part of Indiana are you from

[@daveallover]

The southern part

[@jonathanwombles5004]

@@daveallover I’m Indianapolis but i like goin to martinville or Spencer or William dam

[@daveallover]

@@jonathanwombles5004 Williams is about 15 minutes from me.

[@jonathanwombles5004]

You got it made

[@daveallover]

@jonathanwombles5004 why is that? I hate that place. A billion Burmese people down there snagging fish.

[@RuinedExpert5624]

Ive fished the nueces river in texas and the river is not that wide but i can not catch catfish over 5 pounds

[@daveallover]

@jaredgarza5624 there could be a number of reasons why this is. There are certain places in rivers where small fish congregate. Largely because big don't and it makes them feel same for some reason. Think about that. The number one reason ppl miss big fish is they discount shallow water.

[@hobsonschoice8649]

Flathead don't like light correct? so no moon is the best? How about lanterns? put foul on the river side of your lantern?

[@daveallover]

So this is a hotly debated subject in the flathead world. Everybody has a story about the flathead they caught with a campfire on the bank or a giant spotlight nearby. Here's what I know. Every single flathead catfish will bite in the total blackness of night time, I don't know that every single flathead will bite with a light shining on them.

[@frostizz2072]

I have 4/0 octopus hooks, is that fine

[@daveallover]

They're a bit small but... as long as enough of your hook is exposed outside of your bait, in other words as long as your bait doesn't get in the way of your hook point, theoretically it will work. BUT! I would definitely scale up to 7/0 minimum. Preferably 9 or 10/0. And the bait to match it.

[@frostizz2072]

@@daveallover I went to Walmart and biggest they had was 4/0 but I understand about the hook getting exposed and also how do I set the hook on a octopus hook

[@daveallover]

@@frostizz2072 is it a circle or a J?

[@frostizz2072]

@@daveallover it says octopus, it’s not a circle, the eye of the hook is bent

[@ricrinehart975]

Go 8 ott circle

[@marktapley7571]

There is a way to make sloping funnel for funnel trap for catfish rather than just bending a funnel around. Has to do with tracing with a string. If anyone knows how to do this technique please let me know. Thanks.

[@daveallover]

A trap?

[@marktapley7571]

@@daveallover When I was a kid ap. 55 years ago a guy driving by stopped while I was making a funnel trap out of chicken wire to catch catfish. He showed me how to cut a pattern using a string along the wire, so that the funnel entrance was not just a funnel but a gradual sloping entrance. Looks like it would be easy to figure out but can’t remember exactly how. Though maybe some of your views might know. Thanks

[@jonthanedward3789]

Hell talk about it let's go do it let's go do some catfishing buddy

[@daveallover]

Some people need a starting point.

[@chamblen4]

you mentioned the inconsistency of the flathead bite. In your opinion, what percent of the time do they bite? To ask another way, let's say you knew at one time there was a monster in a specific location, how many fruitless trips would you endure before you were convinced he died or someone caught and kept him? I understand time of year might put him in another location. Let's say you knew this was his home, not just a frequented area, and assuming time of year is correct

[@daveallover]

Let's take it a step further shall we... let's imagine you knew he was there. 100%. Barring no upset conditions i.e., barometric pressure shift, cold snap, spawn, verge of death, the chances of him biting within 15 minutes in my opinion is 99% so long as that bait was within his view or scope of detection, preferably sight. So a couple feet? Almost 100percent. But keep in mind there are forces acting on fish that we simply don't understand. There could be an upset condition that you or I just dont quantify. The chances of him biting within 5 minutes is probably 80percent, within 60 seconds maybe 50? In other words, most often it occurs in under 5 minutes. 15minutes pack up and leave.

[@jonathanwombles5004]

You fish white river?

[@daveallover]

I do

[@Andrew-hr8he]

Where are you from?

[@daveallover]

Indiana

[@michaelmichaelmotorcycle2174]

I live in the suburbs there’s no fish anyways everything is over fished unless I drive 3 hours away

[@daveallover]

@@michaelmichaelmotorcycle2174 move

[@settinghooksncrossingeyes8372]

It's impossible to be in the right area all the time it is very possible to always be in an area that they will eventually be or just were in. You could catch them in an area for a week or two then go back there one day and not catch a dang thing for days

[@daveallover]

You're right man. So given that information, I say always put yourself in a situation to maximize your time based on a couple principles. Find bait, find structure.

[@stevenstroud19]

Agreed

[@bankerlies6121]

Eddy spot

[@daveallover]

Eddie's are great